BRUXELLES CITY TRIP

NB: Originally posted for 14 February 2015

Many V-day gift guides will soon be popping up left right and centre in no time, so here is my contribution ahead of the game. A guide to one of the best gifts of all: the gift of travel. This year, Valentine's Day falls on a Saturday which makes it the perfect opportunity for a weekend getaway. If you have already ticked Paris off of your list or are looking for an alternative to the French city of love, why not give Brussels a go? I fell in love with the city and the country (and later, the guy) after having spent a year working in the heart of Europe. Below are a few places I hold close to my heart that I think are worth adding to your itinerary.

Whether you are arriving on the Eurostar, the TGV or the snail-rail that is the SNCB, a hearty dinner will be much needed. On one of my first nights, I decided to go out and explore on my own and ended up at the Roy D'Espagne on the Grand Place for dinner. With a fire at the centre of the dining hall, it makes for a cosy feast when paired with a plate of meatballs in a Liégeoise sauce.

What would Valentine's day be without a bit of chocolate? One of my favourite places to take friends and family is the Neuhaus Café in the Galleries Royales, right next to the very first Neuhaus store. Did you know that it was Jean Neuhaus who created the first ever praline? At the café, you can indulge in an abundance of chocolate as well as many tasty macarons. I would highly recommend the hot chocolate!

The Place du Petit Sablon is one of my favourite places. During the first few weeks of my professional training year, I spent many a lunch break sitting opposite the fountain of the Counts of Egmont. If you head on over to the Parc d'Egmont, which is located just behind The Hotel (see below), you can find the Peter Pan statue - a commemoration to the children of the UK and Belgium. The Place Poelaert is a few steps away from the park and it provides for a lovely view over Brussels. From it, you can spot the top of the spire of the Town Hall and even the Atomium far off in the distance. There is a lift right at the edge of Place Poelaert that will take you down to the Marolles area, which known for its antiques, and take a short walk towards Place de Jeu de Balle where a daily flea market runs from 7am to 2pm.

If you have time to wander over to the European quarter go to the Parc du Cinquantenaire at the Metro stop "Merode" on the lines 1 and 5 and climb to the top of the Arc du Cinquantenaire for a fantastic view over the park. Stop for lunch at La Terasse and sit outside under the overhead heaters, snuggling up to your other half.

If a luxurious weekend away is what you are after, The Hotel is your perfect escape. The Hotel boasts absolutely stunning views from its rooms and even the sauna up in the fitness area. Read more about the tea-time they have to offer here in one of our old blog posts.

This mid-range hotel has a wonderfully modern twist and is located by the Botanical Gardens in Brussels. Staying true to its name, the hotel strongly supports the flourishing of young Belgian artists by having their art covering the walls of all 287 rooms. If you love waffles, just wait and see what breakfast has in store for you... There is a waffle truck inside the hotel!